Method for making an absorbent article with elastic cuff areas and expandable substrates

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of achieving selectively elasticized zones on nonwoven web substrates, such as may be suitable for the waistbands of disposable absorbent pant garments, cuffs on sleeves of medical garments, or the like. A web, or webs, of nonwoven material which make up the substrate for the elasticized area are provided to be inherently extendable in the transverse, or lateral, direction of the material web at the time the elastic material is affixed to the substrate. If the elastic material is affixed in an untensioned state, a flat waistband without gathering of the substrate may be had for a very efficient seal against the skin of the wearer. If the elastic material is affixed to the substrate in a tensioned state, a waist band with gathering of the substrate may be had to allow for two-stage expansion via the gathers and the expansion of the substrate.

1. A method of producing elastic cuff areas in an absorbent article comprising,
 a) providing a backsheet web at a first dimension, the backsheet web having a cuff area, the backsheet web expands in a lateral direction to a second dimension when a force is applied and contracts after the force is removed;  
 b) affixing an untensioned elastic material to the cuff area of the backsheet web when the backsheet web is at the first dimension to provide for a flat cuff area; and  
 c) applying a liquid retention structure to the backsheet web to produce an absorbent article.  
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising, associating a laterally extendible topsheet web to the backsheet web and positioning the liquid retention structure between the topsheet and the backsheet web. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the cuff area is a waistband. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2  wherein the cuff area is a leg cuff. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the backsheet web comprises a microporous film extendable in at least the lateral direction. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 3  wherein a second elastic material is applied in a tensioned state to the cuff area.